Conservative Party Shadow Treasury Minister visits ITM Power

26th March 2010

Conservative Treasury Spokesman, Greg Hands MP, paid a visit to ITM Power on Friday (March 26) to see how home grown, cutting edge technology developed by the Sheffield company can play a vital role in allowing the UK to meet strict renewable energy and carbon emissions reduction targets. Greg Hands was accompanied by the Conservative candidates for Sheffield Hallam, Nicola Bates and Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough, John Sharp.

During his visit the Shadow Treasury Minister enjoyed a tour of the factory and took part in the refuelling of a car with green hydrogen, which had been generated by a solar panel installed at ITM. Mr Hands also saw the range of products which ITM is shipping to international hydrogen trade fairs in Hannover Germany and Long Beach USA.

Mr Hands refuelled ITM’s HICE Ford Focus, received a brief presentation on the company and visited ITM’s hydrogen home demonstration facilities, which is all on site at the company’s Sheffield HQ. On the factory floor Greg witnessed hydrogen being generated using ITM’s electrolyser technology.

Greg Hands told ITM that he was fascinated by the technology and most interested that Sheffield’s excellent academic and manufacturing base had helped ITM choose to base themselves in the City. He also said he was keen to see the concepts of better energy storage and the ability to harness energy from renewables being supported by the Conservative Party in the future.

Dr Graham Cooley, CEO ITM Power commented; “We are delighted that the Shadow Treasury Minister Greg Hands, visited ITM Power, at a time when the company is preparing to showcase its first generation of products this April in Germany and the USA. We believe that his visit is especially appropriate considering the global reach of our products, and the potential opportunities our technology presents to the economy in Sheffield and the UK.”

Nicola Bates stated “We are keen to support the growth of technologically advanced companies such as ITM. Our policies follow the advice of Sir James Dyson’s review setting out a road map to make Britain the leading high tech exporter in Europe. After the recession, we know our future prosperity has to be built on private sector enterprise and we will support firms by various means including cutting the tax on new jobs.”

ITM Power has developed a range of materials and technology to reduce the cost of hydrogen production. The company is developing equipment to convert renewable energy to a clean fuel; storing the energy as green hydrogen for decarbonising transport, industrial and residential applications. ITM is showcasing products for the first time at the Hanover Messe on 19-23 April and the NHA in California, USA on 3-6 May 2010.